Improvement in earth-closets



I. S. 8:. H. R. RUSSELL.

' Earth-Closets.

NO. 137,099. Patented March 25,1873.

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PATENT ISAAC S. RUSSELL, OF NEIV MARKET, MARYLAND, AND HENRY R. RUSSELL,OF WOODBURY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN EARTH-CLOSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,099, dated March25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ISAAC S. RUssnLL, of New Market, county ofFredericls State of Maryland, and HENRY R. Rossnrmfof Woodbury, countyof Gloucester, State of New Jersey, have invented an\,lmproved Earth-Uloset, of which the following is a specification:

It is the object of our invention to make an earth-closet that shall beso far automatic that, when the seat-lid is raised and lowered, adefinite quantity of dry earth or other deodorizer (called in thesespecifications, earth) shall be distributed over the bottom of thereceptacle without dusting the seat or seat-1id, and that, too, entirelyby means of interior mechanism.

Our invention applies to that form of the earth-closet in which theeartlireservoir is above and behind the seat and the following is asfull, clear, and exact a description of it as we can give, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 represents afront view for the purpose of representing the position of theseat-opening; Fig. 2, an oblique front view, a portion being removed toexhibit the construction and arrangement within; and Fig. 3, thedischarger for dispensing the definite quantity of earth. Fig. 4represents a bottom view of arm or clutch H, catch 2, and the stops 4and 5.

In Fig. 2 the vertical shaft f, supported in sockets above and below,has, near its upper end, a horizontal arm, a a, carrying a Verticalfinger, I, and is connected with the arm a. on the seat-lid by means ofthe connecting-rod p and universal joints. Near the lower end of saidshaft is attached the table T by means of the collar O, which may beloose, allowing the shaft to turn in it; but this motion may be limitedby the fixed clutch or arm H or its equivalent. The table T supports andcarries the receptacle W and the door D D Fig. 3 shows the discharger GGr, consisting of grate or dispenser and two slidesin the bottom ofreservoir and toward the side opposite the shaft f. The dispenser is inthe form of a grate, circular or any desired shape, of metal or anysuitable material, the bars and spaces of which should be of equalwidth-an inch,

also have slots or cams so shaped that the desired movement may be givento them-that is to say, a portion of each slot is the arc of a circle ofthe same radius as that traversed by the finger I, in order that theslide may not be moved by the motion of the finger. Another portiondiverges from this in order that the finger pressing against the side ofit may give the required movement to each slide at the proper time inturn; and at the extremity of this divergent portion of each slot areenlargements or curves entirely relieving the finger I from any pressureagainst the side of the slots, and hence there is no strain on theseat-lid tending to prevent it from remaining open or closed, asdesired. The slide s s is placed above the dispenser, and the one s 8below it. In this figure is shown also the horizontal arm n and theposition of the vertical finger I. When the slides are put in place, thefinger I enters the slots 4; and c. w and w are small bars pivoted atone end to q and g at c and e, while the other end is pivoted to theslides at m and m, to serve as guides, with little friction. The fingerI may have a roller upon it to lessen its friction in slots 0 and v.

The discharger being put in position, as is shown by the part not brokenaway in Fig. 2, the operation is as follows: When the seat lid israised, the arm 0. brings the arm a forward, turning the shaft f and thetable T carrying the receptacle W to position under the seat-opening inFig. 1. At the same time, the finger I plays in the slots rand c of theslides. As it moves through the oblique portion of the lower one itcloses it, but does not move the upper one, this portion of its slothaving the same curve as that traversed by the finger I. Passing onthrough the curved portion of the lower one, it does not move it forlike reason; but coming to or into the oblique portion of the slot inthe upper one, it opens that and allows the dispenser to fill. When thelid is f and carrying the table T and receptacle W till the latter isdirectly under the discharger, and closing the door D D tightly againstD and D the finger I on its return closing the upper slide and openingthe lower one, allowing the contents of the discharger to fall into thereceptacle. At each raising and lowering of the seat-lid the sameoperation will be repeated. The fixed clutch or arm H, Fig. 4, impingesagainst stops on the collar (3, which limits the relative movement ofthe shaft f and table T, so that when the lid is raised to its fullheight the clutch or arm H is against one of the stops. At this momentthe catch 2, the fulcrum of which is attached to the arm or clutch H,engages with the edge of the table T, and insures the movement of thetable T when the lid is lowered. When the table has moved so that thereceptacle is directly under the dispenser, the wedge or incline 3raises the end of the catch 2, disengaging its hold on the edge of thetable T, and

allowing the shaft f with the arm n and finger 1 to complete theirmovement, and at the same time move the lower slide, dropping the earthinto the receptacle. This operation of loose collar 0, clutch or arm H,and catch 2, allows the closing of the dust-doorD and putting thereceptacle in proper place before the dust or earth begins to fall. Theseat y, Fig. 1, may be taken out at pleasure and the receptacle removedconveniently.

' B is a box for paper.

What we claim as our invention is- 1. The vertical shaft f andloosely-hung table T, in combination with seat-lid, as described.

2. A discharger, consisting of the grate G and two independently andalternately moving slides provided with slots, as described, incombination with the vertical shaft, arm n, and finger I, as and for thepurposes set forth.

3. A loosely-hung horizontal table attached to a vertical shaft, incombination with the arm or clutch H, catch 2, wedge 3, and stops 4 and5, so that the shaft may havea limited motion relative to the table, asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

I 4. In combination with the seat-lid, shaft f, and arm n, the swingingtable provided with a dust-door and receptacle, W, as and for thepurposes set forth.

ISAAC S. RUSSELL. Witnesses:

JOEL HALL, R. B. RANDLE.

HENRY R. RUSSELL. Witnesses:

J. ALBERT REINHART,

WM. 0. SroKEs.

